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Explore databasesIf you’ve ever wondered who makes windmills—the skyscraper-sized turbines generating clean electricity on hillsides and at sea—the answer is concentrated in a handful of global OEMs. Global wind capacity passed 1,200 GW, with annual installations exceeding 100 GW for the first time according to industry data. Five manufacturers supply around two-thirds of the world’s turbines, and every major project depends on their engineering, factories, and service networks. This directory profiles the top five by cumulative installed capacity and then unpacks what developers should check when choosing a supplier.
Top Wind Turbine Manufacturers
The companies below collectively account for over 520 GW of installed onshore and offshore capacity.
Vestas Wind Systems A/S
Vestas holds the lead with more than 170 GW operating in 88 countries. Onshore platforms range from the 2 MW unit through the EnVentus 6 MW series, while the V236-15.0 MW offshore turbine began commercial deliveries in 2024. The company originated as a metalworks in Aarhus in 1945 and now runs blade factories in Denmark, Germany, and China, nacelle assembly lines in Denmark, Spain, the United States, and Brazil, and a key tower plant in Colorado. With a service fleet exceeding 150 GW, its 2025 order backlog topped 60 GW.
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy S.A.
Formed in 2017 from the merger of Siemens Wind Power and Gamesa, Siemens Gamesa has installed over 130 GW. Headquartered in Zamudio, Spain, it dominates the offshore segment with the SG 14-236 DD direct-drive turbine. Manufacturing spans nacelle assembly in Denmark, Germany, Spain, and China and blade factories across Europe, North America, and Asia. Serial production of the 14 MW offshore unit ramped up in 2025, and the firm held more than 30 GW of firm orders.
Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
China’s largest turbine maker, Goldwind, has passed 110 GW of global installations since 1998. Its portfolio relies on permanent-magnet direct-drive technology, with onshore units from 1.5 MW to 7.2 MW and offshore prototypes reaching 16 MW. Production is concentrated in China, supported by additional nacelle and blade plants in Australia, the United States, and Brazil. Annual manufacturing capacity exceeds 20 GW, backed by in-house magnet and converter supply.
GE Renewable Energy
Part of GE Vernova and based in Paris, GE Renewable Energy has installed over 60 GW. The Haliade-X offshore turbine, rated at 14 MW and scaling to 15.5 MW, anchors major projects like the UK’s Dogger Bank. Onshore, the Cypress platform delivers up to 6.1 MW. U.S. blade and nacelle factories are located in Florida, South Carolina, and New York, with additional plants in France, Spain, and China. The company commissioned its first commercial 15.5 MW unit in 2025 and holds framework agreements exceeding 10 GW for offshore wind.
Envision Energy
Founded in 2007 in Shanghai, Envision has surpassed 50 GW of installed capacity across Asia, Latin America, and Europe. It provides smart turbines from 4 MW to 16 MW for onshore and offshore use, integrated with energy management software and battery storage. Factories operate in China, India, and Mexico; a UK offshore assembly plant was completed in 2025. Annual production capacity stands at 15 GW, with a project pipeline above 25 GW.
Manufacturing Snapshot at a Glance
| Company | Headquarters | Installed (GW) | Flagship Turbine | Key Factory Regions | 2025 Backlog/Pipeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vestas | Aarhus, DK | >170 | V236-15.0 MW | DK, DE, CN, US, ES, BR | >60 GW (order backlog) |
| Siemens Gamesa | Zamudio, ES | >130 | SG 14-236 DD | DK, DE, ES, CN, NA, Asia | >30 GW (firm orders) |
| Goldwind | Urumqi, CN | >110 | 16 MW offshore | CN, AU, US, BR | >20 GW (production capacity) |
| GE Renewable Energy | Paris, FR | >60 | Haliade-X 15.5 | US (FL, SC, NY), FR, ES, CN | >10 GW (framework agreements) |
| Envision Energy | Shanghai, CN | >50 | 16 MW offshore | CN, IN, MX, UK | >25 GW (pipeline) |
How to Choose a Wind Turbine Manufacturer
Understanding who makes windmills is only the first step—developers and investors then need to match a supplier to the site, grid, and financial model.
Match the turbine to your wind class and terrain
Start with the IEC wind class and average wind speed at hub height. High-wind sites (Class I) can use standard turbines; low-wind sites (Class III/IV) benefit from larger rotors and higher nameplate ratings on a lower-capacity foundation. For rugged terrain or complex flow, check whether the OEM offers a proven site-specific load assessment and certified aeroelastic models.
Compare technology types: direct-drive vs. geared
- Direct-drive (Goldwind, Siemens Gamesa offshore): eliminates the gearbox, reducing high-speed rotating parts and maintenance intervals. This can cut downtime in remote locations but adds generator weight.
- Geared/medium-speed (Vestas, GE): lighter nacelles, faster repair cycles for the gearbox, and often better availability of spare parts through established supply chains.
A common mistake is choosing direct-drive purely to avoid gearbox failures without verifying that the local service team has permanent-magnet generator expertise. If your project is in a region where gearbox repair shops are within a day’s drive, a geared turbine can be perfectly cost-effective.
Verify local manufacturing and logistics incentives
Many markets offer local-content bonuses or require a certain share of domestically produced components. If you’re developing in the United States, the fact that Vestas builds towers in Colorado, Siemens Gamesa produces blades in Iowa, and GE runs nacelle factories in multiple states can directly influence project economics through tax credit multipliers and lower transport costs. Always request a factory list and confirm the production line’s current utilization—waiting times for blades or towers can delay the entire schedule.
Check service coverage and warranty transparency
After installation, turbine availability depends on the OEM’s service centre density, spare-part stock, and remote monitoring capability. Ask for:
- Mean time to repair (MTTR) guarantees in the service contract.
- Whether the warranty covers serial defects across the fleet.
- Scope of condition monitoring—some manufacturers include blade vibration and main bearing analysis as standard, others charge separately.
An independent power producer evaluating bids for a 200 MW Texas onshore project, for example, might weigh GE’s Cypress platform with nearby Florida and South Carolina factories against Vestas’ EnVentus series backed by a Colorado tower plant. The decision often turns on five-year availability guarantees and the lead time for large castings like hub and main frames.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who builds wind turbines in the US?
Three manufacturers cover the majority of US-made turbine components. GE Renewable Energy operates blade and nacelle factories in Florida, South Carolina, and New York. Vestas runs a tower factory in Colorado and blade lines, and Siemens Gamesa produces blades in Iowa. Together they supply the domestic onshore market and can qualify projects for additional investment tax credits.
Who is the biggest manufacturer of wind turbines?
By cumulative installed capacity, Vestas leads with more than 170 GW. In terms of annual output, Goldwind delivered the highest volume in recent years, topping 20 GW of production, followed closely by Vestas and Siemens Gamesa. Rankings fluctuate each year based on project completions and delivery cycles.
Which company makes windmills?
The term “windmills” commonly means modern electricity-generating wind turbines. The five largest manufacturers—Vestas, Siemens Gamesa, Goldwind, GE Renewable Energy, and Envision Energy—supply the majority of turbines deployed worldwide.
Are windmills made in the USA?
Yes. The United States hosts several wind turbine component plants. GE Renewable Energy assembles blades and nacelles domestically, Vestas manufactures towers in Colorado, and Siemens Gamesa produces blades in Iowa, covering a full onshore supply chain.
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